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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - ZR mechanical failings

This morning my 5 week old ZR didn't start quite as lively as normal though at the time I thought nothing more about it other than noting to check the next time I started it.

Anyway, leaving work at lunch I went straight for some petrol. I don't recall anything unusual about it starting then.

However, on leaving the petrol station, a very noticeable kangaroo effect was evident on accelerating so much so that the car was juddering as first it picked up then it didn't etc. At idle, it was very erratic. Soon after the amber "engine fault" light flashed and I quickly pulled over to analyse the handbook which advised me to continue the half a mile to my MGR dealer.

45 minutes later they'd still not pin pointed the fault so gave me a courtesy car (ZR105 in which reverse gear selection came with a good deal of positive feedback through the stick which it most certainly does not on my ZR120 leaving me wondering whether I'm actually in reverse or not).

Anyway, when I later returned apparently a spark plug lead had worked it's way lose and all is now resolved.

I questioned whether this was a sign of things to come but the service guy didn't see the funny side!
Findlay

hardly a 'mechanical' failing, then.

E
Ed Clarke

Findlay
I remember racing a 1000 cc Metro in my MG Metro about 15 years ago. Just got past when the engine died. Pulled in and found the coil lead had jumped off. Quick fix, caught the little bastard at the next set of lights!

Its all fun being an MG owner!
Mega.
Mega

Findlay,

..... 'appens - to any car. Nice to be firing on all four again ..... :-)
John McFeely

Ed...mechanical in that it was something to do with the engine and not driver error or fuel contamination. And as the lead in question is clearly an integral part to the engine's optimum performance, I'd say it was mechanical.

Mega...Had a few embarassing overtaking 'faux pas' myself but usually caused when I get a courtesy car and it's a lesser model than my own and I forget. Like today I was in a ZR+105, not my own ZR+120 and on putting my foot down on a slight incline on a by-pass around Preston I was somewhat alarmed to discover the blue rinse driven Volvo remaining equidistant from myself, despite my best efforts!!!
Findlay

Findlay, don't you realise loan vehicles should be quicker than your own even if the car is a less powerful model, even ford festas should be able to rev higher and accelerate quicker after all if its not your car it usually gets thrashed :-)

rob
rob

rob...don't worry. The ZR105 I had was well into the red line on more than 5 occasions!
Findlay

i remember a few years ago when my scort was in a bodyshop, they gave me a nissan sunny for a week as a loan car. The car was never out of the red, handbraked in the car parks and did a couple of jumps from hump back bridges :-) when i gave it back they thought it looked better then when i got it as it was the first time in months it had had a wash!

rob
rob

>>>ZR105 in which reverse gear selection came with a good deal of positive feedback through the stick which it most certainly does not on my ZR120 leaving me wondering whether I'm actually in reverse or not)<<<

Diferent gearboxes, R65 in 105 and PG1 in others.

Rog
Roger Parker

Rog...that explains it then. At least I know my gearbox isn't dodgy. Cheers for that.
Findlay

Guess what guys my cylinder head is leaking again !!
nigel

Nigel, the leak from your head is it visible from the front(lhs as you look at it), i noticed some oil on mine the other day, cleaned it off with brake cleaner but haven't re-checked yet. Didn't seem to be dripping just oil stained on the head under the rocker cover

rob
rob

Yes it is rob I have exactly the same problem. It seems to be from the head gasket near the no. 2 cylinder and then migrates towards the Alternator. When I clean it off it takes a couple of hundred miles before it returns. There does not seem to be any sign of oil loss though. The garage were reluctant to change the head gasket last time I took it in. Instead to tighten it up a bit, but 2000 miles later it is back.
nigel

Afraid its just typical, there is a fault, so they go bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem go's away!
Mega.
Mega

well got my car booked in this thursday for the oil leak? and creaking from rear-again

rob
rob

I have been following the leak on my cyclinder head for a while - in the same position as you guys state. Just went to Edwards of Stratford where the serivice manager told me that there was no official word from MGR about the problem. He said it was more vapour than - leak, I agree. He also reminded me that there are no gaskets on these heads - just sealant - I feel that a proper gasket would seal better. So lets keep an eye on the problem and see how it evolves. My car was bought last November but I didn't have to wait for it to be built -so I'm not sure when the build date was. When were yours' purchased, what are your engine numbers?
Tim.
Tim Ellingham

i picked mine up in october after a 2 week wait while it was in "quality control"

rob
rob

The original car I had buld in November failed inspection, so I a#was assign ANother so maine may have been an early novemeber/october build !


Nigel

PS It looks like a vapor deposit to me but I do not find that acceptable ! If we do not get anywhere I suggest that we joinly approach rover MGR direct.


nigel

Send me over your VIN# and I can give you the exact build date.
Dave

Dave my VIN number is:
SARRFLNMF2D628761
Nigel I agree with you - I think I shall post on the other Z forums to see if others are affected.
Tim Ellingham
Tim Ellingham

Yep, this sounds familiar, i will let you know my VIN number in due course

kev
kevin

I have taken a picture of the problem and can sent it to anyone who wants to compare.
Tim.
Tim Ellingham

Tim

Can you send me the offending picture. Will my e-mail address suffice?

Kev
kevin

Tim, could I have a copy of the picture too.

Whilst I have not spotted anything untoward on my Zed yet I'd at least like to be fully genned up.

Kev...talk about it on Sunday

Findlay
Findlay

Findlay

look forward to that. Heres hoping for a nice day

Kev
kevin

well the mechanic looked at my car this morning, seems to be a prob with the sealant on the "rocker carrier", car re-booked for 2 weeks time (they want it for 2 days to re-seal).
They had a go at the creaks again, still there now :-(

rob
rob

Tim...thanks for pic. Will have to investigate my Zed much more closely now. Will speak to those attending the NMGO on Sunday about it too.

Findlay
Findlay

Tim - I missed your VIN# post....I'll check it when I'm next in work!
Dave

Rob,
What is your full name and which dealer did you take your car back to. I'm going to use the fact that yours is being re-sealed to lean on Evans Halshaw.
Tim.
Tim Ellingham

Tim if you ring Clemo Rover on 01274 863700 and speak to the service manager he will be able to verify the prob which seems to be quite common (especially to vvc engines)

rob
rob

Watch out Clemo employed some of the worst mechanics from the former Perrys of Dewsbury who were I must add THE WORST ROVER DEALERS - NAH CAR DEALERS EVER. Absolutely sh*t
Rob

Well had my car in the garage for 2 days for the rocker carrier cover leak, rattles and wind noise from drivers door, 100yds down the road after picking it up and the rattles are worse than before, the rear seatbelt mounting cover was hanging down the seatbelt so i guess they looked at something. Got home and looked round the car, scratches/ scuffs on the front bumper where the mechanics? had leaned against to take the head off. The last time my car went in there it picked up a dent (1"diam) on the front of the bonnet, i cant prove it was them so i let it go :-(.

Why is it when we buy new cars we get treated like this when something goes wrong with them and its not our fault? and why dont mechanics respect someone elses pride and joy (whatever happened to wing covers when carrying out repairs)

Not very happy at the mo, bloody thing's been in 2 different garages for 10 days in total and its still the same......crap build quality.......
rob

rob...sorry to hear your problems continue.

Answer to your Q: People are no longer brought up the same way they used to be so no longer respect for others' things. After all, you want a car you go out and steal one. You want a TV you got out and steal one. So why bother looking after a car when repairing it. After all, they're gonna nick it from you sometime!

Findlay
Findlay

i think the problem these days are because no real tradesmen/women exist. Seems as though people go to work just to earn money (me inc), they get through the day as quickly as possible which can mean rushing/bodging jobs along the way just to finish dead on 5 o'clock.
If a job isn't spot on they think "ah well it'll do", pride in own work doesn't mean anything.

rob
rob

Just been down to my local MGR dealer with the following 4 annoyances on my ZR+120.

(1) knocking noise from offside rear passenger door
(2) window on same door unwinds itself about quarter of a turn throughout the course of a week
(3) bulge in back of driver's seat (rear passenger side) starting to mark fabric
(4) rear spoiler coming away from boot

All 4 were "common problems"! Why not make them uncommon?
Findlay

it seems to be most of the ZRs suffer from the same probs
1.Rocker carrier cover leaking
2.Rattles from rear
3.Rattles from doors
4.Rust appearing (sill cover/tailgate hinge)
5.Rear spoiler padding coming adrift
6.Paint chips very easily

has anyone else noticed the leather on the seat sides seems to crease very easily making them look tatty?

rob
rob

My paint chipped after one day. But thats nothing to the Power steering fluid leak, clutch clicking, handbrake failing and rear windscreen that needs replacing.

Buy British................and put up with it.

Will I buy an MG again..............no.
Paul

forgot the handbrake, mine takes about 10 clicks, goog pdi eh?
rob

rob...forgot to add the rust problem! Count me in on that one too! But touch wood, chips, rocker carrier cover and handbrake all OK on my Zed at present and long may it continue!

Paul...I think I get the clutch clicking sometimes too. But had that on last 2/3 cars. Turn music up - don't hear it then!
Findlay

Can anyone also explain why my Zed never re-starts cleanly having filled with petrol. This morning it took longer than normal, albeit first time still.

Come to mention it, there's been a couple of occasions when I've stopped and re-started within a few minutes and it's not started cleanly.

I've even started pushing the car around the driveway rather than 'drive' it for this very reason.

Findlay
Findlay

My zr is in on wednesday to have the front screen "realigned" it sites far to high up the windscreen surround and is very noisy ,windnoise that is.
Had the rear spoiler re-tightened and have a new drivers door lock on order (7 weeks ago).
Paint chips too easily ie. front bumper spoiler and bonnet all chipped.

At last got the Rear Ally Exhaist trim id ordered for 2 months, COst £5.16 and fits like a cow but still looks the business.

eshy

Findlay
Might be wrong but is it anything to do with the immobiliser? I think the key fob has a transmitting device which the car has to recognise before start up. Possible delay between the two??? Then again I could be talking twoodle!!

Kev
K Blades

Washed my car for the first time yesterday..........three paint chips on main part of bonnet.


Please could we have a total recall
Paul

i know all cars get stone chips but what makes things worse is we cant get touch ups from rover, i've had a trophy blue on order now for 6 weeks..............
rob

May I suggest you reprograme your ECU from "Thief Mode," aptly called elsewhere, back to standard!
Rock & A Hardplace

See posts elsewhere. I don't believe Police Mode causes any concern as immobiliser still acitvated passively. In any event, when you lock up it comes on then too.
Findlay

rob, yorks WROTE:

>>i know all cars get stone chips but what makes things worse is we cant get touch ups from rover, i've had a trophy blue on order now for 6 weeks.............. <<

There's an Auto-Paint specialist (supplier mainly to trade professionals) near me who can mix up a spray can (sufficient to cover say a door panel) whilst you wait for about 7-8 quid. Used them several times over the years and they seem always able to get a perfect match for even my metallic as well as solid colour painted cars. They use the manufacturer's three letter paint code as a reference to prepare the colour match. Maybe worth looking to see if you have a similar outfit near you.
John McFeely

It is still possible to obtain good service nowadays but, you have to look bloody hard to find it because it's a rarity.

Some of the comments earlier in this thread illustrate the point that for at least the past two decades, we've been fed a "cuts and profits" before people doctorine. Plus, never mind the quality of service, feel the width of these profits. For a while back in the 80s, people eagerly queued up for it .... Loads of money ... remember all that? We're all paying for it now of course in some way or another. Imagine the poor guy in the workshop, on a small wage, always up against the clock with a profit gun held to his head and an equally overstressed boss always yelling in his ear "Aint you finished that ******* car yet. An exaggeration? Not really! Any wonder jobs get bodged?

Vote with your feet? May make you feel better but you'll come up against the same problems elsewhere if you do almost certainly. Really open your eyes and have a good look around at the way things really are now and have been for the past decade or so. The really worrying thing about all this is that there is no evidence that things will ever change for the better now .... So, will you ever get used to it .... you have done already.

John McFeely

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2002 and 11/05/2002

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